The first time I learned that a "horseman" was more than just a man who rides horses was from Pat Parelli. He quantified the term as the highest form of mastery with horses. Those who remember his quotes may correct me, but I believe it went something like this:

• Owner
• Rider
• Horse Trainer
• Horse Hand
• Horseman

In that order. He described the definitions associated with each as well. It may take no more than a money transfer to become a horse owner. A rider, however, has to develop balance, accumulate a massive amount of predictive knowledge about movement and cues, and continually seek to maintain their confidence.

A horse trainer is someone who dedicates their personal growth to mastering a discipline—dressage, cutting, for instance. The mastery process can consume decades or more, but ultimately, they hone their craft to become efficient at bringing any horse from the bottom to the top of their field.

A horse hand, however, needs to become something better altogether. A horse hand understands the horse’s needs, plans specific training programs tailored to each animal, breaks into the psychology of the horse, and truly teaches.

And a horseman, well… this is someone who takes it all to a whole other level. A horseman knows the horse from top to bottom, understands the industry and its nuanced disciplines. They can hook up a plow and perform tempi lead changes—not with the plow, of course!

A horseman watches the vet work and asks how it’s done. They observe the farrier and pick up enough to do it all themselves. They watch their colleagues, mirror their best qualities, and even learn from their worst, tweaking those lessons to create something valuable. A horseman sees the inside of a horse—figuratively and, at times, literally. They seek to understand both biomechanics and brain mechanisms. They sense tension and work to resolve it. They sense joy and work to enhance it. They recognize loneliness, pain, frustration, and resentment. They invent entire programs just to improve a horse’s welfare.

They lead without frustration—firm, but kind. They see our history with horses as integral to our future, and our next steps forward as integral to our honor.

Honor. It’s a great word. Horsemen honor the horse, the path, the way. It’s Jedi mastery without the lightsaber. Timelines fade, but progress is inevitable. Horsemen—and horsewomen—are rare.

When I was younger, I thought I would become one. Now I wonder if it’s truly possible.

In general terms, I’m completely comfortable being labeled a horseman. But in the grand scheme of things, I’m much happier owning the truth: I’m a student… on the path to mastery. I have much to share—I do, I’ll own it. But I have much to learn.

Join me on the journey. I will gladly share mine with you. I am human, much more man than horseman, but I have known horsemen. I have met them. They are extraordinary and plain, all at once. You wouldn’t pick them from a crowd, and their humility is apparent.

I still plan to become one, someday. Don

​